SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Dr. Brandon Schmidly is the 2013 recipient of the Orville and Jewel Mills Young Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award will be presented May 3 during Evangel University’s commencement ceremony at James River Assembly in Ozark, Mo.

The Mills Award, which includes an unrestricted cash grant, was established by Orville and Jewel Mills to recognize professors less than 45 years of age. Orville Mills is a retired comptroller of Exxon-Mobile and serves on the university board of directors. The couple’s three daughters are graduates of Evangel.

“I’m humbled and honored to be receiving the award this year,” Schmidly said.

Schmidly, assistant professor of philosophy, began work in the fall of 2007.

“I remember how excited I was when I first came to Evangel; my goal has been to serve the students, the University, the disciplines of philosophy and theology, and the Kingdom of God with excellence,” Schmidly said. “The Mills award is an expression of affirmation that I greatly appreciate.”

He holds a Ph.D. in ethics and social-political philosophy and a master’s degree in ethics from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Evangel.

In addition to teaching and advising students, Schmidly serves as chair of the theology department (2012-present). He also serves on many committees and teams including the Academic Council, Campus Planning Council, Adult and Graduate Studies Council, Faculty Affairs Committee, Spiritual Life Council, Educational Technology Committee and Support Services Council. He is the faculty advisor for Phi Sigma Tau and serves as faculty advisor to the senior class at Evangel.

Schmidly also is a member of the following professional and academic associations:

Society of Christian Philosophers

Society of Pentecostal Studies

Licensed minister with the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God

Evangel University is a private, Christian university of arts, sciences and professions. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad, Evangel offers more than 100 undergraduate academic programs and nine master’s programs.

About Evangel

Evangel is an accredited, liberal arts university with more than 100 academic programs on the cutting edge of today's professional fields. Our commitment to the integration of faith, learning and life attracts students from a wide variety of Christian denominational backgrounds who have a strong commitment to academics with a desire to combine their Christian faith with every aspect of their lives.